liqidtouch Posted January 9 Report Share Posted January 9 In a year where hip-hop actually stepped up and delivered on the hype, I am proud that this year's top 10 can have no filler albums or also-rans. Here are the 10 best (hippity-hop) things put to wax this year: 10. Masta Killa- No Said Date: This was one of the first years in a while where the Wu showed it's prescence, and there was nowhere where the classic Wu feel was so apparent as on this fiery album, the solo debut from the over-looked Clansman. With production from in-house legends like RZA and Mathematics, not to mention appreances from every Wu-Tang member (including the late Ol' Dirty Batsard on the hilarious single "Old Man"), this was one of this year's earliest gems.iPod Worthy: "School", "Old Man", "No Said Date", "Masta Killa" 9. Snoop Dogg- R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece: It's amazing what some youthful production can add to the maturity of an aging pimp, and it did amaze on this Neptunes-helmed party-on-wax. Snoop brings his familiar drawl and brings back his past sinisterness on varying tracks throughout this one, using each when necessary. The Neptunes remind the world why they're on a different planet with the excellent, funky production on this album. Like Pharrell says in the huge single "Drop It Like it's Hot", this year was big for "Snoooooooooop".iPod Worthy: "Signs", "Perfect", "Drop It Like It's Hot", "Let's Get Blown" 8. Kanye West- College Dropout: Yes, it was the most over-hyped producer album since, well, ever. But Kanye pretty much delivered, and while it may not be the 5-mic masterpiece he whines that it should be regarded as, it is still easily one of this year's top picks. From track to track, this album is full of fresh new sounds and perrennially great ones. "Jesus Walks" stands as one of the year's best singles, yet isn't even the best track on this album. This was one of those picks that you want to disregard because of it's insane poularity, but can't based on it's musical merits.iPod Worthy: "Spaceship", "Two Words", "Jesus Walks", "Family Business" 7. Cam'ron- Purple Haze: Cam finally comes off as the charismatic, hilarious MC he has been seen as on his numerous mixtapes since his Roc-A-Fella debut Come Home With Me. This is him at his best, and much like they often say, it's as addictive as crack. Although some of it is reheated from past mixtapes, they are still as fresh as when heard the first time. The production here is also exceptional, as Kanye West & the Heatmakerz sound brilliant. If the final track is correct, and it is "Dipset Forever", this is much better than those other immortal ideals like death and taxes.iPod Worthy: "Down & Out", "More Reasons", "Killa Cam", "Get Em Girl"http://www.clubexl.com/news/Ghostface%20Killah.jpg 6. Ghostface Killah- The Pretty Toney Album: One of the year's most soulful albums and also proof that the Wu is back. This one is a collection of beautifully written songs from the only man in hip-hop who has the pinache to rap over the Delfonics' classic "La-La Means I Love You". While it lacks the Wu feeling of No Said Date, it more than makes up for that with it's heavy doses of lyrical tenacity when it's needed most. RZA does make the time to help deliver the best single of the year in "Run", an amazing Ghost & Jadakiss collaboration, though. Deini never runs short on illness.iPod Worthy: "Run", "Holla", "Be This Way", "Beat the Clock" http://www.clubexl.com/news/The%20Roots.jpg5. The Roots- The Tipping Point: Experimentation is good and all, but many Roots fans wanted a back-to-basics album where it was just the beats and MC Black Thought, much like their 1996 classic illadelph halflife. Well, they got it. Drummer ?uestlove shows off his chops on the boards once again, as he produces and wries much of this. Yet it is Black Thought's superb return to glory on the mic which grabs the listeners from their seats. This is the Roots doing what they do best: live, unstoppably fresh hip-hop.iPod Worthy: "Stay Cool", "Star/Pointro", "Guns Are Drawn", "Web" http://www.clubexl.com/news/De%20La%20Soul.jpg4. Masta Ace- A Long Hot Summer: The prequel to Ace's 2001 thematic masterpiece, Disposable Arts, this album is a brilliant story of a young man who gets caught in the wrong crowd. Even up & coming producer 9th Wonder helps add to the excellence of the Juice Crew member's new album with his beat for the excellent single, "Good Ol' Love". It's excellent narrative and great production make it one of this year's most compelling hip-hop albums.iPod Worthy: "Good Ol' Love", "Beautiful", "H.O.O.D.", "Wutuwanko" http://www.clubexl.com/news/Nas.jpg3. De La Soul- The Grind Date: This was what they needed. This is what hip-hop needed. 3 of it's old grandpas getting up and tearing through the young man's scene. The veteran men snatched up underground gods like Madlib and J Dilla, while also working with vibrant new beatmakers like Jake One and 9th, to create their best album since 1996's Stakes Is High. Not quite done yet, the Plugs grab a handful of the best artists around to guest. Ghostface, Common, Flava Flav, and MF DOOM all show up to work with the heroes of hip-hop. These guyds really don't even need the help; they just keep on grindin'iPod Worthy: "Church", "Rock Co.Kane Flow", "He Comes", "The Grind Date"The final two are bonafide masterpieces. Their places are almost interchangebale, but as of the end of this year, these are the top two albums of 2004.2. Nas- Street's Disciple: A brilliant, soon-to-be-classic which lived up to the phenomenal expectations laid upon Nas' back. He carries that cross, and brings his unbelievable lyricism into the 21st century. Tracks like "American Way" and "These Are Our Heroes" are so excellently political that they almost outshine his passion. But songs like "Disciple" and "Nazareth Savage" bring a fire to Nas that hasn't been heard since 1994 in this man. Also, his beats finally catch up to his mindblowing lyrics; this can be evidenced on "Suicide Bounce" and "Street's Disciple". While Nas may be egotstical and grandiose, this album certainly gives him reason to.iPod Worthy: "These Are Our Heroes", "War", "Virgo", "Street's Disciple"1. Madvillain- Madvillainy: Accordions, comic book obsessions, and a thirtysomething black man in a mask; not a recipe for a hip-hop classsic? I beg to differ. This power collaboration between the equivalent of underground hip-hop's Yankees and Red Sox is an unorganized mess where stories have no structure and beats sound like they sample sounds you would hear in an old movie theater. Maybe this sounds bad on paper, but paper has always been overrated. That is one thing this group is not. Buy this album as soon as possible. I cannot write anything else witty or hilarious or with big words until I know I helped some people discover America's Most Blunted. Madlib & MF DOOM: like peanut butter & jelly & heaven.iPod Worthy: "Great Day", "Fancy Clown", "Acordion", "All Caps", "Rhinestone Cowboy", "Raid", "Figaro"http://clubexl.com/vb/showthread.php?t=138 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacemanspliff Posted January 9 Report Share Posted January 9 i thought the toney album came out before 04... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbooom Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 kanye west is not hip hop hes pussy-fag-poser-pop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liqidtouch Posted January 10 Author Report Share Posted January 10 i thought the toney album came out before 04... if my memory serves correct.His full length album did release in 04 but the singles were releasing in 04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.